Image that illustrates Mesa burner

Mesa burner

38 100 kr

Machine operators, chemical technology and photographic products

36 000 - 39 800 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Mesa burner

Average salary 38 100 kr
Males 38 500 kr
Females 36 900 kr

What does a Mesabrännare do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Mesabrännare primarily works within the pulp and paper industry, where the responsibility lies in operating and monitoring mesaugns. These furnaces are central to chemical recovery in the process, meaning the Mesabrännare controls temperature, pressure, and flows, as well as performs routine maintenance and troubleshooting. The work environment is often industrial, with proximity to large machines and high temperatures, requiring precision and safety awareness. The work is usually performed in shifts and demands both technical understanding and the ability to handle complex process systems.

Salary development over time

Mesabrännare have experienced clear salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,600 SEK per month, which increased to 33 600 in 2023. In 2024, the current average salary is 38 100, representing a salary increase of approximately 17% over two years. This significant rise is explained by increased demand for qualified personnel in the chemical process industry, as well as a greater focus on sustainability and recycling in the industry. Women generally earn slightly less than men, but the differences have decreased somewhat over time. The salary development in the profession is also influenced by education level and shifts towards more automated processes.

Mesabrännare salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 38 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,000 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 39,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 229 SEK
  • Women: 36,900 SEK/month (96% of men's salary)
  • Men: 38,500 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Small variations, but higher salaries are found in larger industrial regions.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Mesabrännare, a high school education with a focus on process or industrial technology is usually required. Many employers also prefer candidates who have completed additional post-secondary courses or have experience from similar process industries. Practical experience and a good understanding of chemical processes are highly meritorious, and some companies offer internal trainee programs to ensure the right competence level.

  • High school education: Industrial technology programs, 3 years
  • Post-secondary education: Short vocational courses in process or chemistry (up to 2 years)
  • Internal trainee programs: Common in larger companies
  • Certifications: Occupational health and safety are often required
  • Practical experience: Meritorious for employment

A Mesabrännare often works in shifts, which may include night and weekend work. This variation provides flexibility but also requires good ability to handle irregular working hours and maintain focus during long shifts.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

For a Mesabrännare, it is common to receive additional pay for shift work, overtime, and sometimes bonuses linked to production efficiency. Other benefits include wellness contributions, work clothing, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for skill development through courses or internal training programs. Pension contributions and collective agreement insurances are standard.

Competition and challenges

Competition for jobs as a Mesabrännare varies between regions and employers. Since the profession is specialized and requires technical skills, there may be a shortage of qualified personnel in some areas, favoring those with the right education and experience. Challenges in the profession include high safety requirements, continuous technological development, and the need to quickly resolve technical problems. The industrial work environment can be demanding, with noise, heat, and sometimes chemicals, which require accuracy and stress resilience.

Tips for aspiring Mesabrännare

To succeed as a Mesabrännare, it is good to have a strong technical interest and an aptitude for problem-solving. Precision is crucial, as the work involves monitoring processes where small mistakes can have large consequences. Flexibility helps because shift work and rapid changes are common in the industry. Analytical thinking aids troubleshooting and optimizing operations. Good teamwork skills are also important, as Mesabrännare often work in teams and need to communicate with colleagues and technicians. Finally, patience and stress resilience facilitate handling unexpected situations and high work pace.

Key facts about Mesabrännare

  • Educational level: High school or short post-secondary education
  • Work environment: Industrial with shift work
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
  • Special skills: Process and chemical engineering
  • Typical employment type: Permanent, often shift-based

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a Mesabrännare, opportunities open up for advancement to roles such as operations manager, process responsible, or process development technician. Some choose to further their education in automation or production technology. According to Arbetsförmedlingen, there is no specific forecast for Mesabrännare, but within the group of machine operators in chemical and photographic products, demand is expected to remain stable with a total of 1,437 job openings in spring 2024. The industry is affected by economic cycles and technological development, which requires continuous skills upgrading. Related professions include process operator, maintenance technician, or operations technician in other parts of industry.

Frequently asked questions about Mesabrännare

  • What does a Mesabrännare earn?
    - A Mesabrännare has an average salary of 38 100 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and region.
  • What education is required to become a Mesabrännare?
    - High school education in industrial technology or process, sometimes supplemented with shorter post-secondary courses.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 36,900 SEK compared to men's 38,500 SEK, which corresponds to 96% of men's salaries.
  • What is the work environment like for a Mesabrännare?
    - Work takes place in an industrial environment with shift work and proximity to large machines, requiring good safety awareness.
  • What career opportunities are available after a few years in the profession?
    - It is common to advance to roles such as operations manager, process responsible, or to pursue further education in related fields.
  • What are the future prospects for a Mesabrännare?
    - Demand within the profession is stable, but no exact forecast exists due to limited data.
  • What are the most common benefits for a Mesabrännare?
    - Shift allowances, overtime pay, wellness contributions, and collective agreement benefits are common.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Mesa burner is 39800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Mesa burner is 36000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 38500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 33300 kr 37300 kr
35-44 35000 kr 39100 kr
45-54 35400 kr 39200 kr
55-64 34800 kr 38900 kr
Snitt 96% 34200 kr 38100 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Mesa burner has the SSYK code 8132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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